Our hair designers are specially trained to work with you to achieve a beautiful hairstyle and color that complements your personality as well as your lifestyle. Our team of professionals are experts at creating and executing top hairstyle trends, as well as classic elegance and styles. Semi-color Makeup will add balance to your face and the confidence that comes with it.You really can enjoy the look you want which will truly transform your face and skin, and change your daily life for the better, never having to worry about your makeup smearing or rubbing off.
Services
Hi, I'm Yong Carey and an experienced hairstylist specializing in color and trendy cuts for men and women and Keratin Treatment and Japanese Straightening techniques. I am specially good at managing clients with long and extra long hair. I can color, cut and style to perfection as you would like it.
Salon Essence is an organic concept salon in which products used strongly emphasizes in natural and/or organic origin in ingredients and process whenever possible. Thus we provide hairdressers with safer, healthier products that perform to the highest professional standards. This gives our clients a safer and more pleasant experience that results in healthier, more lustrous hair and longer lasting colors!
I've been to this salon several times to get my hair trimmed, and most importantly- highlighted. Ms. Kim does a superb job on my hair highlights. I ONLY go to her for highlights. I've been a customer here for a few years. Song has been doing my cut, highlights and lowlights for the past year and I love the attention she gives and the time she takes.
Reviews (15)
Jason B.
Mar 25, 2022
P. S.
Mar 03, 2022
My experience dates back a few years, but I feel that my experience here warrants it. I wish I had taken the time to do it sooner. Based on glowing recommendations from friends and neighbors, I visited this salon a few times for haircuts (typically layering and blow dry). Kim and staff were always warm and welcoming. I had a different stylist during these visits who was friendly and courteous (I think it was Song but not entirely sure), did a great job, and I always walked out happy.
Our conversations were always pleasant and she would welcome me back each return visit - exchanging pleasantries, etc. During my final visit, I had an appt with Kim - my second time with her. When I walked in, she was in her office and walked out several minutes late even after a staff member informed her appointment was waiting, with a sullen look no less.
I am not exaggerating. Walked up to me and asked very rudely, "What do you want?" - no greeting or pleasantries. I was taken back, but told her I just wanted a cut and blowout. We proceeded to the haircut and throughout the appt, she repeatedly asked me (more like hounded) if I colored my hair. She even demanded, " you need to tell me" as if I was lying - needless to say, very unprofessional.
I was flustered by the end of the appointment, but continued to be pleasant and chatty as I always am - I knew something was off, but just thought she was having a bad day and decided to extend her the benefit of the doubt. The final straw was her comment as I was leaving (after handing a 20% tip for the good haircut she gave me in spite of her attitude).
She asked "Do you work?" and to my response that I was a stay-at-home mom replied, "Oh, then you can just go home and relax all day." I don't think I need to put in words how preposterous this behavior was and the outrage I felt. I walked out, livid and feeling deeply insulted. I wondered what caused her to treat me this way, and the only plausible explanation I have is that she had been trying to push services on me that I did not want, so she was annoyed.
Over the years, I have been a repeat customer at salons that were happy to give me a haircut and style, and treated me courteously and with respect. I did go elsewhere and found a great stylist!
Our conversations were always pleasant and she would welcome me back each return visit - exchanging pleasantries, etc. During my final visit, I had an appt with Kim - my second time with her. When I walked in, she was in her office and walked out several minutes late even after a staff member informed her appointment was waiting, with a sullen look no less.
I am not exaggerating. Walked up to me and asked very rudely, "What do you want?" - no greeting or pleasantries. I was taken back, but told her I just wanted a cut and blowout. We proceeded to the haircut and throughout the appt, she repeatedly asked me (more like hounded) if I colored my hair. She even demanded, " you need to tell me" as if I was lying - needless to say, very unprofessional.
I was flustered by the end of the appointment, but continued to be pleasant and chatty as I always am - I knew something was off, but just thought she was having a bad day and decided to extend her the benefit of the doubt. The final straw was her comment as I was leaving (after handing a 20% tip for the good haircut she gave me in spite of her attitude).
She asked "Do you work?" and to my response that I was a stay-at-home mom replied, "Oh, then you can just go home and relax all day." I don't think I need to put in words how preposterous this behavior was and the outrage I felt. I walked out, livid and feeling deeply insulted. I wondered what caused her to treat me this way, and the only plausible explanation I have is that she had been trying to push services on me that I did not want, so she was annoyed.
Over the years, I have been a repeat customer at salons that were happy to give me a haircut and style, and treated me courteously and with respect. I did go elsewhere and found a great stylist!
Isha Sharma
Sep 24, 2021
Ozzy
May 12, 2021
Bernice Fisher
Mar 10, 2021
Positive: Cleanliness, Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value Experience was wonderful and my hair cut was awesome. I have naturally curly hair and it can be difficult to deal with in the style I prefer. I also had done my own hair cut which made it difficult to work with. She did a wonderful job. I will be back! Thank you! Service: Hair styling
Emma Tokarchic
Nov 29, 2020
Shyanne Araujo
Sep 25, 2020
I've been getting Keratin treatment for years. I've been everywhere between DC and Virginia Beach, personally I believe this place had provided me with the Best Keratin Treatment EVER! I just wish i didn't live so far. I am biracial and have extremely curly hair. I typically takes me about 2 hours to blow dry and flat iron my hair. However when I get a Keratin treatment from here, it cut my time down to 30 min. Plus it last for months! Highly recommend
Chad Krick
Oct 02, 2019
Annie Song is the best cosmetologist! She not only styles my hair with the latest trends and helping my stay youthful looking, she understands what products I should use to keep my hair healthy. She is always considerate and thoughtful when dealing with customers. I trust her so much that I recommend her to my friends and family when they visit me and need a hair cut.
I have always gotten "nice hair" comments from strangers after getting a hair cut. I tell them Annie Song is the Best! Schedule with her before I do again. You'll never have a bad hair day again.
I have always gotten "nice hair" comments from strangers after getting a hair cut. I tell them Annie Song is the Best! Schedule with her before I do again. You'll never have a bad hair day again.
A. K.
Nov 05, 2017
Bethany B.
Sep 28, 2016
I have been a client of Kim's for about two years now. She is AWESOME. I have a lot of hair and it is naturally wavy. I like it shorter and Kim is amazing with shaping it and taking out the weight. Every cut over the years has been excellent. It have never had a hairdresser as consistent and precise. I will not go anywhere else.she is that good.
Jothi D.
Apr 27, 2015
I am sorry to write a bad review and I hardly ever do, so I'll try to provide details. I went to Kim for the first time last year after reading the reviews. I wanted to get the Japanese Hair straightening done and a haircut. Kim noticed that I also needed some color and offered to do color at the same time (not a good idea when you're getting Japanese hair straightening done).
She used the organic hair color she uses, then proceeded with the straightening. She asked no questions as to the history of my hair or what all I've done with it (much needed for proper Japanese hair straightening). Once the straightening was done she flat ironed it (before I could see how it looked with just blow drying) and even then some parts were still wavy (impossible if you knew what you were doing).
So she said she'll "redo" those parts again which she did, then proceeded with a haircut. Granted the haircut was pretty good and color, however after 3 days and washing my hair it revealed pretty much the same texture as my hair was previously. This is after paying more than $500 for all the services and spending over 5 hours at her salon. I also started losing hair left and right on adaily basis which I did not before.
I went back and she claimed she's never heard this before but offered to do the Keratin treatment to see if that will keep my hair straight. Yes that did for the first 3 days, and then once I washed that off my hair became very fragile and dry and kept falling off even more so on a daily basis. Granted she was very friendly and offers tea and water to her clients, this is NOT the only basis for a hair stylist.
I found a place in Falls Church with a stylist called Jian who is the master for japanese hair straighening in the whole VA/MD/DC area and has clients come from out of state as well. It is a NIGHT and DAY difference in how detailed he is and asks a LOT of questions before he even begins work to ensure that he knows your entire hair history so he can customize the treatment to work with your hair.
He has straightened my hair twice and it lasts for almost a year each time. I will not return to Kim other than maybe just a cut for which there are plenty of stylists to choose from other than Kim. If you want a cut or don't want to color your hair at home Kim is great, however if you want a proper Japanese Hair Straightening done, please don't waste your time or money on this place, unless you want to lose all your hair!
She used the organic hair color she uses, then proceeded with the straightening. She asked no questions as to the history of my hair or what all I've done with it (much needed for proper Japanese hair straightening). Once the straightening was done she flat ironed it (before I could see how it looked with just blow drying) and even then some parts were still wavy (impossible if you knew what you were doing).
So she said she'll "redo" those parts again which she did, then proceeded with a haircut. Granted the haircut was pretty good and color, however after 3 days and washing my hair it revealed pretty much the same texture as my hair was previously. This is after paying more than $500 for all the services and spending over 5 hours at her salon. I also started losing hair left and right on adaily basis which I did not before.
I went back and she claimed she's never heard this before but offered to do the Keratin treatment to see if that will keep my hair straight. Yes that did for the first 3 days, and then once I washed that off my hair became very fragile and dry and kept falling off even more so on a daily basis. Granted she was very friendly and offers tea and water to her clients, this is NOT the only basis for a hair stylist.
I found a place in Falls Church with a stylist called Jian who is the master for japanese hair straighening in the whole VA/MD/DC area and has clients come from out of state as well. It is a NIGHT and DAY difference in how detailed he is and asks a LOT of questions before he even begins work to ensure that he knows your entire hair history so he can customize the treatment to work with your hair.
He has straightened my hair twice and it lasts for almost a year each time. I will not return to Kim other than maybe just a cut for which there are plenty of stylists to choose from other than Kim. If you want a cut or don't want to color your hair at home Kim is great, however if you want a proper Japanese Hair Straightening done, please don't waste your time or money on this place, unless you want to lose all your hair!
Xin M.
Jul 23, 2014
I've been to this salon several times to get my hair trimmed, and most importantly- highlighted. Ms. Kim does a superb job on my hair highlights. I ONLY go to her for highlights. this is 1.5 hours away from me but I still go. The staffs are very lovely and friendly. I love the other Ms. Kim as well. All are super caring and nourishing. Great energy to work with. They also keep the salon nice and clean. Must visit them!
Rj Joogle
Dec 27, 2013
Tammy W.
Mar 17, 2012
I've been a customer here for a few years. Song has been doing my cut, highlights and lowlights for the past year and I love the attention she gives and the time she takes. I get tons of compliments every time I get my hair done. Everyone is so nice and extremely professional. The added bonus is they use Aveda products and they always smell so good!
Remi V.
Feb 12, 2009
